Digital BW, The Print

I'm jumping into digital darkroom after many months of browsing this 
and other forums. I hope to participate in the print exchanges but 
first, I need to make sure I've got everything I need. Much of what 
I've compiled here has been recommended by this forum. Is there 
anything an experienced digital printer would add to this list? I 
don't believe I need a colorimeter for profiling the printer as I 
hope I can trust other peoples curves.

- Epson Enhanced Matte paper for experimenting
- Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl for portfolio
(other papers will follow once I gain experience with these)
- Epson 1280 printer
- MIS UT2 inks
- Lascaux Fixative spray
- Colorvision Spyder with Photocal
- Solux 4700K lamp for proofing (I'll be working at night)
- Photoshop CS
- Logan 450 Mat Cutter, mats, and tape
- flat print boxes for storage
- Big tupperware box to cover printer when not in use (I will throw a 
wet sponge in here as well to keep the heads happy)

Do I need anything else? A head cleaning cartridge?

Regards,
-Pieris

Pieris Berreitter wrote:

>
>I'm jumping into digital darkroom after many months of browsing this 
>and other forums. I hope to participate in the print exchanges but 
>first, I need to make sure I've got everything I need. Much of what 
>I've compiled here has been recommended by this forum. Is there 
>anything an experienced digital printer would add to this list? I 
>don't believe I need a colorimeter for profiling the printer as I 
>hope I can trust other peoples curves.
>
>  
>

>- Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl for portfolio
>  
>
The Smooth series are fastdrying and more used on the 2200, I think the 
1280 can use Classic series also.

>- Colorvision Spyder with Photocal
>  
>
Make sure you have the new version 2

>- Big tupperware box to cover printer when not in use (I will throw a 
>wet sponge in here as well to keep the heads happy)
>  
>
Seems overkill to me, never had problems with that. Maybe if you have a 
very dry house.

>Do I need anything else? A head cleaning cartridge?
>  
>
A camera?

-- 

Hans Van Rafelghem
http://www.vanrafelghem.com

I've been printing for several years with just:
1) Computer w/ Photoshop
2( Printer (OK I have two) 
3) Ink
4) Paper (several kinds)
But I don't think I have anything else on your list. Never missed any
of it. 

I suggest you save your money to buy more film, paper and ink. Then
shoot and print more. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Pieris
Berreitter" <pieris@y...> wrote:

> 
> 
> I'm jumping into digital darkroom after many months of browsing this 
> and other forums. I hope to participate in the print exchanges but 
> first, I need to make sure I've got everything I need. Much of what 
> I've compiled here has been recommended by this forum. Is there 
> anything an experienced digital printer would add to this list? I 
> don't believe I need a colorimeter for profiling the printer as I 
> hope I can trust other peoples curves.
> 
> - Epson Enhanced Matte paper for experimenting
> - Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl for portfolio
> (other papers will follow once I gain experience with these)
> - Epson 1280 printer
> - MIS UT2 inks
> - Lascaux Fixative spray
> - Colorvision Spyder with Photocal
> - Solux 4700K lamp for proofing (I'll be working at night)
> - Photoshop CS
> - Logan 450 Mat Cutter, mats, and tape
> - flat print boxes for storage
> - Big tupperware box to cover printer when not in use (I will throw a 
> wet sponge in here as well to keep the heads happy)
> 
> Do I need anything else? A head cleaning cartridge?
> 
> Regards,
> -Pieris

> From: Pieris Berreitter [mailto:pieris@...]
>
> I'm jumping into digital darkroom after many months of browsing this
> and other forums. I hope to participate in the print exchanges but
> first, I need to make sure I've got everything I need. Much of what
> I've compiled here has been recommended by this forum. Is there
> anything an experienced digital printer would add to this list? I
> don't believe I need a colorimeter for profiling the printer as I
> hope I can trust other peoples curves.
>
> - Epson Enhanced Matte paper for experimenting
> - Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl for portfolio
> (other papers will follow once I gain experience with these)
> - Epson 1280 printer
> - MIS UT2 inks
> - Lascaux Fixative spray
> - Colorvision Spyder with Photocal
> - Solux 4700K lamp for proofing (I'll be working at night)
> - Photoshop CS
> - Logan 450 Mat Cutter, mats, and tape
> - flat print boxes for storage
> - Big tupperware box to cover printer when not in use (I will throw a
> wet sponge in here as well to keep the heads happy)

You don't describe your computer setup. How much RAM and disk? Tons of RAM
can be very useful, and saving raw images or big TIFF scans can eat up disk
space pretty fast.

Over time, you may encounter little software add-ons that prove useful, for
B&W conversion or page layout, but you can do everything you need with PS
CS. However, you didn't say how you're getting your images into digital
form. If you're shooting digital, you may want to look into alternative raw
converters like CaptureOne. (Personally, I like the PS converter, but others
swear by C1.) If you're shooting film, then the scanner becomes the can of
worms.

Possible overkill: I'm not sure the spray is important, but I guess it's
pretty cheap. If working only in B&W, the color temp of the room lighting
isn't that important, since you're not judging color, only tone.

Tupperware box and sponge? That's a new one. Do you live in the desert?

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

>...

>>- Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl for portfolio
>  
>
>The Smooth series are fastdrying and more used on the 2200, 
>I think the 1280 can use Classic series also.


For the UT or other pigments, don't use the Classic series.  


Related to glossy paper, the PremierArt Print Shield does a better job of
hiding the bronzing than Lascaux.  The Lascaux is better on matte paper,
where it doesn't reduce the dmax significantly, which PremierArt might do.

You probably could also get away with less hardware.  For example, I
recently used a Spyder2PRO for profiling my monitor.  I'm sure it's great
for color, but for B&W, the Adobe Gamma routine is just fine.

Good luck with your B&W.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

> From: Paul Roark [mailto:paul.roark@...]
>
> You probably could also get away with less hardware.  For example, I
> recently used a Spyder2PRO for profiling my monitor.  I'm sure it's great
> for color, but for B&W, the Adobe Gamma routine is just fine.

Adobe Gamma relies upon you monitor having a knob that adjusts the black
point, which LCDs don't generally have. With a CRT, though, it's probably
enough.

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...

Thanks very much for all the responses.

Paul Roark,
You're probably right about the spyder not being obligatory, but I've 
been using Adobe Gamma for a while and have had problems with labs 
giving me poor images and then blaming my profiling scheme. I also 
need to be able to match the scanner/printer to a different PC if 
need be.

Paul DeRocco,
If anything, I might need more RAM, but I think my 512MB/200GB system 
will suffice for now. This is something that at least will not have 
an effect on quality (just productivity).

Bob,
It's true that this might seem over the top for an intro system, but 
my needs are rather specific and I need a system that will work on 
multiple computers (hence the profiler) and I will be transporting 
prints around quite often (hence the fixative and matting equipment 
for print longevity).

A few people asked about my apparently novel idea of a sponge in a 
box. I actually found this tip online somewhere, and it's because of 
my prior experience with Epson printers that I'm concerned about head 
clogging. I understand that it's necessary to print about twice per 
week to prevent clogging. My workroom does have very low humidity.

-Pieris

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Pieris 
Berreitter" <pieris@y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> I'm jumping into digital darkroom after many months of browsing 
this 
> and other forums. I hope to participate in the print exchanges but 
> first, I need to make sure I've got everything I need. Much of what 
> I've compiled here has been recommended by this forum. Is there 
> anything an experienced digital printer would add to this list? I 
> don't believe I need a colorimeter for profiling the printer as I 
> hope I can trust other peoples curves.
> 
> - Epson Enhanced Matte paper for experimenting
> - Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl for portfolio
> (other papers will follow once I gain experience with these)
> - Epson 1280 printer
> - MIS UT2 inks
> - Lascaux Fixative spray
> - Colorvision Spyder with Photocal
> - Solux 4700K lamp for proofing (I'll be working at night)
> - Photoshop CS
> - Logan 450 Mat Cutter, mats, and tape
> - flat print boxes for storage
> - Big tupperware box to cover printer when not in use (I will throw 
a 

> wet sponge in here as well to keep the heads happy)
> 
> Do I need anything else? A head cleaning cartridge?
> 
> Regards,
> -Pieris

Pieris,

you're doing well with this list... Seems you've done some serious 
thinking and you're definitely going about it the right way.

Someone - or more - may tell you you do not need to spend money on a 
calibration unit - don't listen to them!
To be able to color match what you see to what you get is absolutely 
imperative - if you can't trust what you see on your monitor - when 
soft proofing - there's just no way you're going to be happy with the 
result..

Myself I am a Monaco man - Monaco Optix XL Pro and EasyColor - with it 
I calibrate every paper I use and all my monitors - including my 
Powerbooks - and when I print, what I see is what I get - never any 
guesses or wasted paper, ink and time - and if I need to send anything 
out, I know my printer is also color calibrated so no problem there - 
when he's done printing my files I know they are correct.. Big peace of 
mind...=*^)

I guess the only thing you did not mention was a computer but smart as 
I am I figure you got at least one,,,=*^)

Good luck!

Christer



			Christer, AKA Christer Rosewell
"It's the artist's job to accomplish two things-to stir the emotions of 
the viewer
	  and to lay bare the soul of his subject." Jousuf Karsh
      Member EP (Editorial Photographers) - 4,000+ professionals 
worldwide.
			  http://www.ChristerArt.com
		  	   3.4+ million visitors to date..


On Nov 9, 2004, at 12:48 AM, 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com wrote:

> From: "Pieris Berreitter" <pieris@...>
> Subject: A new member, with a shopping list
>
>
> I'm jumping into digital darkroom after many months of browsing this
> and other forums. I hope to participate in the print exchanges but
> first, I need to make sure I've got everything I need. Much of what
> I've compiled here has been recommended by this forum. Is there
> anything an experienced digital printer would add to this list? I
> don't believe I need a colorimeter for profiling the printer as I
> hope I can trust other peoples curves.
>
> - Epson Enhanced Matte paper for experimenting
> - Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl for portfolio
> (other papers will follow once I gain experience with these)
> - Epson 1280 printer
> - MIS UT2 inks
> - Lascaux Fixative spray
> - Colorvision Spyder with Photocal
> - Solux 4700K lamp for proofing (I'll be working at night)
> - Photoshop CS
> - Logan 450 Mat Cutter, mats, and tape
> - flat print boxes for storage
> - Big tupperware box to cover printer when not in use (I will throw a
> wet sponge in here as well to keep the heads happy)
>
> Do I need anything else? A head cleaning cartridge?
>
> Regards,
> -Pieris

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